Very high energy gamma rays from the direction of Sagittarius A


Creative Commons License

Aharonian F., Akhperjanian A., Aye K., Bazer-Bachi A., Beilicke M., Benbow W., ...More

ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS, vol.425, no.1, 2004 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 425 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2004
  • Doi Number: 10.1051/0004-6361:200400055
  • Journal Name: ASTRONOMY & ASTROPHYSICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Keywords: gamma-rays : observations, Galaxy : centre, SUPERMASSIVE BLACK-HOLE, SUPERSYMMETRIC DARK-MATTER, GALACTIC-CENTER, MILKY-WAY, ASTERISK, CHANDRA, SYSTEM, MODEL, TELESCOPES, EMISSION
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

We report the detection of a point-like source of very high energy (VHE) gamma-rays coincident within 1' of Sgr A* obtained with the HESS array of Cherenkov telescopes. The gamma-rays exhibit a power-law energy spectrum with a spectral index of -2.2+/-0.09+/-0.15 and a flux above the 165 GeV threshold of (1.82+/-0.22)x10(-7) m(-2) s(-1). The measured flux and spectrum differ substantially from recent results reported in particular by the CANGAROO collaboration.